Guidance on offsite emergency radiation measurement systems : phase 2 - the milk pathway

ABSTRACT

This document provides guidance to State and local governments and to Federal agencies on offsite emergency measurement of radionuclides after an accident involving a light-water nuclear power plant; in particular, this document provides guidance on determining the dose commitment from the milk patway. Other guidance documents on measurement of radionuclides to determine dose commitments in food, water, and air pathways have been issued. Protective action levels proposed by the food and drug administration (FDA) for milk are used as the basis for monitoring requirements. Measurement of radionuclides in milk should be made at the earliest practical point in the production chain dairy farms, receiving and transfer stations, processing plants or marketing facilities. Early monitoring will provide data to keep significantly contaminated milk out of distribution and will provide the basis for the most timely emergency response action. Radioiodine plus four other radionuclides, cesium-134, cesium-137, strontium-89, and strontium-90, contribute significantly to dose via the milk pathway. For the most severe potential accident, the short-term dose via the milk pathway from radioiodine is significantly grater than of cesium or strotium (AU)